tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post4769625724181736086..comments2024-03-08T18:49:51.289-05:00Comments on Classic Film and TV Café: The Gorgon: A Stone-Cold Hammer ChillerRick29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-45979892087727347202011-02-19T01:25:26.918-05:002011-02-19T01:25:26.918-05:00Oh, Rick, you and these Hammer films! I feel total...Oh, Rick, you and these Hammer films! I feel totally out of the loop, having not seen many of this studio's films. I don't know that this is my type of film, but I enjoyed reading your review.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-58638776906102802682011-02-16T12:38:08.993-05:002011-02-16T12:38:08.993-05:00I don't know why but I find myself humming tha...I don't know why but I find myself humming that song "Turned to Stone." "The Gorgon" is a classic and very atmospheric Hammer entry. I thought it was odd that they chose to call this character Magaera, rather than Medusa, too. In mythology, the Furies are three sisters who seek vengeance, and are sometimes depicted with snakes on their heads. If Magaera was motivated by retribution for infidelity, perhaps that is what sparked the deaths of Sascha and Bruno (who were not married.) This is probably a stretch but it is an attempt to explain the name choice.<br /><br />The well-shadowed settings add an abundance of atmosphere. The place with the stone steps and pillars where Magaera walks seems to suggest all three sisters and the destiny of those upon whom they gaze.<br /><br />Great post, Rick, and I really liked the comments posted by Sark and Becky, too.toto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09652682900471649463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-53297940219663482822011-02-16T09:53:47.348-05:002011-02-16T09:53:47.348-05:00Like you and Sark, I am a big Hammer fan. I'm...Like you and Sark, I am a big Hammer fan. I'm tickled to see you do a good review on The Gorgon because it happens to be my favorite, even of all the wonderful films Hammer made. I'm not sure exactly why, but your description has hit on most of the points that attract me to it -- the atmosphere, shadows, sense of doom. When the unfortunate father begins to turn to stone, it is really chilling. I felt that the music and vocals gave a strong sense of the impending doom. <br /><br />It is true that the actual clear and close-up Gorgon face and snake hair were pretty cheesy and should have been left in half-shadow. I remember reading somewhere that they were going to try to weave real snakes into Shelley's hair, but it didn't work and she was too pretty anyway. So they hired another actress -- poor thing, how awful to be hired because you are ugly enough to play the Gorgon!<br /><br />You have a good point about saying that Magaera was not actually a gorgon, but a Fury. I suppose they figured people would have instant recognition of the name Gorgon rather than Fury. Whatever they called it, I just loved it! Great post, Rick!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-79403175705798611842011-02-16T08:33:24.527-05:002011-02-16T08:33:24.527-05:00Great post, Rick, and one of your best. I think TH...Great post, Rick, and one of your best. I think THE GORGON is one of the underrated Hammer films. With Fisher as director and Cushing and Shelley as stars, it'd be difficult to not make a terrific movie. But as you suggested, it's wonderfully atmospheric and, I think, often spooky. You mention this, but one of my favorite sequences is when Magaera is slightly visible in a reflection; I agree that, when shown, she's a little disappointing, but when Fisher merely hints at her presence, it's quite effective.<br /><br />I often associate this film with another Hammer production, THE REPTILE. It's partly because I saw them together, but also because they're both well made chillers that many viewers, even Hammer fans, unfairly dismiss. But they (like most Hammer films) deserve respect and multiple viewings.sarkoffagushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00922698736476674377noreply@blogger.com